genejockey 

I figure there are two interfaces at play here. First, there's the interface between the saddle and the shorts. Second, there's the interface between the shorts and the rider's nethers. You want the first to allow movement between the to parts, and the second you don't. I find that chamois cream does that for me, so I use it on all rides. I used to only use it on long rides, but I found I was more comfortable on the 1-2 hour rides with it than without, so now I just use it all the time. I use Chamois Butt'r because it works and if something works in a situation like this, I'm disinclined to experiment.

Milton Keynes

I bought a tube of Butt Butt'r but didn't realize it was for women when I bought it. Guess I'll have to turn in my man card now. At least anyone drafting me will enjoy my nicer smelling a*s.

Koyote

Assos makes a version for women, which I once accidentally ordered. Seemed to work the same as the non-gendered stuff, at least for me.

Repack Rider

My friend in UK has a company called Happy Bottom Bum Butter.

The Chemist

Never used it, never felt I needed it even riding 1000+ km / month in Shanghai's ridiculously hot and humid (i.e. super sweaty) summers. I've got good fitting bibs and a comfortable saddle, and have never had an issue with saddle sores.

Pratt

Prefer not to know how one knows his balls are minty.

redtires

Yes, it works. I don't use it every time, but anything over an hour it's great.

Pratt

Just found something called Chafe Safe at the drugstore. It is made by KTTape.
Seems to be a stick like deodorant. If I don't lose it first, I'll try it this summer.

rosefarts

Euro style has menthol in it. You feel the tingle.

markynels

Reporting back on this- I can safely conclude that this mixture (minus hydrocortisone) is infinitely better and longer lasting (>6hrs) than Noxzema, period. Cleans up fine with warm water, too. I'll never go back.

Sy Reene

Interesting, given the myriad hits on google with somewhat involved tips to removing vaseline stains from clothing.

himespau 

And my experiences with kids (and spouse) constantly forgetting to take their chapsticks out of their pants before putting them in the wash. I fish at least one out of the washer or dryer each week. I should probably just be better about checking all their pockets before putting them in the machines.

Keefusb

Once the weather warms up some, I'm going to try adding some 1% hydrocortisone ointment and some triple antibiotic ointment with pramoxine (a mild analgesic) to my can of Bag Balm. I haven't had a saddle sore in many years (knock on wood), but sometimes having that extra bit of anti-inflammatory/anti-biotic/pain killer could make all the difference.

rsbob 

If I am planning a more than 1 hour ride on the trainer, or 3 hour ride outdoors, I always use chamois cream. I find the trainer so uncomfortable, I start moving my position on the seat, as well as standing periodically, to get some relief. A while ago I did a two hour trainer ride and unbeknowlingly bunched up the chamois and on my bike shorts and wore a red crease on one cheek. After using cream no more issues. Same with outdoors.

chaadster

Found your “dreme creame,” eh?

MoAlpha

Yeah, you really don't want corticosteroids in your crotch without a good reason and a time limit. They are a great way to bust the immune controls on the local skin flora, particularly fungi, and get yourself a real ugly diaper rash.

79pmooney

I got turned onto Bag Balm by a woman long ago. She was stoker on a tandem. So I suppose I smell like an anointed farm animal. Guess I should be worried about who or what that might attract.

rsbob 

Yeah tandems are much like riding a trainer in that one is pretty well stuck in one position. And buttering one’s bum is even more important when you can’t shift around much in the saddle/seat/backless chair.

Paul Barnard

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14436267914...xoCE_cQAvD_BwE

cjenrick

Chamois cream is expensive if you ride a lot. Noxema did not work for me. It might have even been worse than no cream as it was thin and irritating.

Vaseline makes a gooey mess that is hard to wash off of clothes and the body.

You can make your own butt butter
Wtch hazel.
Coconut oil.
Menthol.
Shey oil.
Lanolin.




I made a three year supply at about 1/10 the the price of butt butter.

Make sure you get the white shey oil as the other stuff stinks like H.

Here go the instructions.

Calsun

My butt cheeks do not sweat as there are no sweat glands in this location. My touring buddy would often get saddle soars and it was from going commando with his bike shorts. Over a period of days bacteria would build up in the chamois material and then get into his skin. I wore cotton jocky shorts that I replaced regularly and so no bacteria and no saddle sores.

Cotton has its place and I have no problems with wearing cotton underwear or cotton socks when riding. The upper torso is where I use synthetics as it wicks sweat better and so is cooler. But I had no problems riding thousands of miles with a long sleeve lightweight cotton work shirt. I liked being able to roll up the sleeves to be cooler on a long uphill climb and then to roll them back down for the downgrade. Lycra works nearly as well with a wind shell but by no means better in this situation.

genejockey 

Two variables in there, and lycra vs cotton is almost certainly NOT that explanation for the saddle sores. It wasn't from going commando in his bike shorts. It was from not changing his bike shorts. Eeeeewww...

chaadster

I can scarcely contain the joy I’ve gotten from learning I can use “shey” to make a “creame” for my “soars.” Shammies under my hammy, it’s güd!

pdlamb

Is this one of those "back when the only other traffic on the road was Fred Flinstone" posts? You know they invented soap a while back, and even better detergents since then. I don't doubt that wearing dirty clothes for weeks on end can cause saddle sores, but using these modern inventions regularly (like daily) solves a lot of problems.

delbiker1 

Three things that I have found that helps me, two of which I do not often use/ First is just regular baby powder, the second is Noxema. Most of the time I use nothing, good quality shorts that fit well work. The third thing, IME, the fit being tight eliminates the need for either of the first two. I have had shorts/tights that were really nice until they stretched a bit. Even though they did not look, or feel, like they had much wear, when becoming a bit loose they started to cause saddle sores. I believe that was from the looseness allowing them to slip around a bit, friction. The powder or cream would help. Shorts/tights, that keep the tight fit, work fine for me. There is more that comes into play than the pads. I need a saddle that narrows a good bit from where the nose starts, to the front end. Also, shallow sides work better for me. IMO, it is one of those things that take trial and error to get it right.